Last week we went hiking in the White Mountains.
My husband ran up to the top of Mount Lafayette (about 4.5 miles and 4000 feet of elevation), while I slowly made my way up the mountain. He patiently waited for me at the top of the mountain for a whole 2 hours. While I climbed up and down Lafayette, my son ran the whole Pemi Loop, 29.5 miles, 3 times the distance I hiked, and waited for me at the end.
I am a slow hiker. I am not physically strong. Never have been.
While I hiked up I could have compared myself to my husband and son, and felt incompetent. I could have focused on all the people who were overtaking me. Believe me it was easy to do, there were many of them. Instead, I focused on my strengths, my determination and can do attitude. This mental strength, and can do attitude has been my driving force throughout my life. It has helped me overcome difficult situations, find solutions to complex problems, and it has helped me grow personally and professionally.
It also got me to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
When we embrace our strengths we can do great things. When we embrace our weaknesses we can improve, but will never be amazing.
What are your strengths?
Take the time to identify your strengths.
What is it that you naturally do well?
How can you focus more on your strengths to help you overcome challenges?
Managers, are you focusing on the weaknesses of the people on your team, or are you taking the time to identify and build on their natural strengths?